Mokoshiji Temple, the world heritage site with Japan's oldest garden, the Jodo Garden [Iwate Prefecture]

Motsuji Temple in Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture , and is said to have been founded by Ennin, the founder of the Buddhist sect of Buddhism, in 850

It is considered to be one of the temples that make up the "Shijikairo" (four-temple corridor) , which also includes Chusonji Temple in Hiraizumi, which was also founded by Ennin, the founder of the Jikaku Daishi sect; Risshakuji Temple in Yamagata Prefecture;

Link: Michinoku Ancient Temple Pilgrimage “Four Temple Corridors”

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A Tendai Buddhist temple founded by Jikaku Daishi Ennin

Motsuji Temple is a Tendai sect temple that was founded in 850 by Ennin, the founder of the Tendai sect of Buddhism, just like Chusonji Temple. The "Motsuji Temple Grounds with the Site of the Guardian Shrine" a Special Historic Site by the national government, and the "Motsuji Temple Garden" has been designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.

In 2011, a World Heritage Site and an Intangible Cultural Heritage Site along with Chusonji Temple, Kanjizaioin Temple Ruins, Muryokoin Temple Ruins, and Mount Kinkei as part of the "Hiraizumi - Architecture, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land (Pure Land)."

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Revived over two generations of the Oshu Fujiwara clan

After its founding in 850, Motsuji Temple was destroyed by fire and fell into ruin

The second head of the Fujiwara clan, Motohira, began the restoration and construction of the the third head, Hidehira , and many temple buildings were constructed.

At the time, there were about 40 temples and pagodas, about 500 Zen rooms, and the main hall, lecture hall, Jodo Hall, two-story main gate, bell tower, sutra storehouse, and other buildings known as Enryuji Temple, and it is said that at the time it surpassed Chusonji Temple in size and splendor

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After the fall of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, he was protected by the Kamakura shogunate and the Date clan

After the fall of the Oshu Fujiwara clan, the temple was protected by the Kamakura shogunate, but was again destroyed by fire in 1226, and about 350 years later, in 1573, it was again destroyed by fire during war, and for many years only the earthen platform and foundation stones remained

Later, in the Edo period, the temple became part of the Sendai domain and came under the protection of the Date clan, just like Chusonji Temple. When Date Masamune passed away, the Shaka Triad, which was the principal image at the time, was moved to Zuihoji Temple, which was built as Masamune's family temple

In the Meiji era, the main hall and the priests' quarters were rebuilt, and in 1921 the main gate of Ichinoseki Castle of the Date Ichinoseki Domain was relocated and used as the main gate

Currently, only the new main hall, built in the Heian period in 1989, and the Jogyo-do Hall, built in the mid-Edo period, remain, but the vast grounds also include a spacious sandbar and the Oizumigaike Pond, with its magnificent stonework

The principal image of the temple is Yakushi Nyorai, flanked by the Bodhisattvas of Nikko and Gakko. Every year, the "Ennen no Mai" dance is dedicated at the Jyogyodo Hall, and together with the Jyogyozammaiku ritual that has been performed continuously since the temple's founding, it has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan

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Highlights of Motsuji Temple

The highlight of Motsuji Temple is the Pure Land Garden, Japan's oldest garden,

As a result of comprehensive excavations that took place over a period of five years from 1954, it was discovered that the Motsuji Temple Garden is a Pure Land style garden that was created faithfully in accordance with the Sakuteiki, a secret book on garden construction from the Heian period

Oizumigaike Pond and the stream that leads to it were constructed based on excavation surveys, and today, on the banks of the gently meandering Yari-mizu stream, which resembles a natural stream, a "Kyokusui no Utage" (Sounds of Water) is held, where people dress in Heian period costumes and compose waka poetry

There is a magatama-shaped island in the center of the large pond, with one island on the southeastern shore and three on the southern side. The gently curving perimeter of the pond and the island in the middle are paved with pebbles, creating a coastal landscape along the water's edge

At the tip of Dejima, on the southeastern shore, where the rough shores of the shoreline stretch, stands a stone over 2m high, standing at an exquisite angle, creating a striking landscape that accentuates the calm waters. Matsuo Basho, who visited here in 1689, wrote of Yoshitsune, who committed suicide at Takadate in 1189: "Summer grass, after the dreams of soldiers." A monument commemorating this poem has been placed within the grounds.

Motsuji Temple <Information>

• Name: Motsuji Temple
• Address: 58 Hiraizumi Osawa, Hiraizumi-cho, Nishiiwai-gun, Iwate Prefecture, 029-4102
• Phone number: 0191-46-2331
• Official URL: https://www.motsuji.or.jp/

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